Hockey fans worried about the fate of the upcoming NHL season might want to turn their attention to the minor leagues, where the body checking has started a full month before players take the ice.

The Bakersfield Condors, a minor-league hockey squad in central California, insulted the rival Stockton Thunder last week by telling fans an upcoming tilt between the teams would be dubbed “Our City Isn’t Bankrupt Night.” The promotion, announced on the team’s website, promised fans a complimentary $1 million bill and the opportunity to win a handful of new cars, including a Rolls Royce. Kevin Bartl, a team spokesman, said the offer was “totally tongue-in-cheek.”

But the hit still stung the Thunder and, presumably, Stockton’s 300,000 residents. For good reason: Stockton is one of a hat trick of California municipalities to recently file for bankruptcy protection. Read More »

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Jeremy Gordon is a freelance writer who lives in Chicago. He has written for TheAtlantic.com, MTV and Prefix and occasionally Tumbles and Tweets. The last time he cried was when Steve Bartman dropped the ball.

Jared Diamond writes about sports for The Wall Street Journal. He currently serves as a beat reporter covering the New York Mets and Major League Baseball.

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